Male. Taken at Pinail, France on June 27th 2010. Click image for larger version.
(1/125th sec at F13. Approx 1x life size.)
Teneral. Taken at Whelford Pools, Glos, on July 19th 2010. Click image for larger version.
(1/160th sec at F13. Approx 1x life size.)
Ovipositing female. Taken at Pinail, France on June 27th 2010. Click image for larger version.
(1/250th sec at F13. Approx 1x life size.)

© David Hastings

Description

Wing span: 90 - 104mm; Body length: 66 - 84mm
 
This is the largest aeshnid in most of Europe. Males are unmistakable due to their size, unmarked green thorax and blue abdomen with a black mid-dorsal stripe. The female is green with a black dorsal stripe. Tenerals are pale green and have brown rather than black markings on the abdomen. Both sexes have a yellow costa and brown wing spots.
 
This species prefers standing waters, often large and well-vegetated. It also breeds in new ponds and can tolerate brackish water.
 
Males are highly territorial and vigorously defend their territory against all incomers. They catch and eat prey on the wing, although larger prey items like butterflies are eaten at rest. Females almost always lay alone, frequently well offshore. The eggs hatch after two weeks and the nymphs usually take two years to mature.
 
The flight season is March to December in north Africa, but only between June and August in the north.

Sightings

24-Jul-2011	:	Otmoor, Oxon (2)
23-Jul-2011	:	Greenham Common, Berks (4)
14-Jul-2011	:	Thrupp Lake, Oxon (4)
02-Jul-2011	:	Parsonage Moor, Oxon (1m)
02-Jul-2011	:	Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (2m)
18-Jun-2011	:	Bowdown Wood, Berks (1m)
11-Jun-2011	:	Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (2m)
11-Jun-2011	:	Piddington Wood, Bucks (1m)
21-May-2011	:	Bentley Wood, Wilts (1f)
19-Jul-2010	:	Whelford Pools, Glos
16-Jul-2010	:	RAF Fairford, Glos
11-Jul-2010	:	Bernwood Forest, Bucks
10-Jul-2010	:	Parsonage Moor, Oxon
04-Jul-2010	:	Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon
27-Jun-2010	:	Pinail, France
22-Jun-2010	:	Bullfield Lake, Oxon